A group of gay furries has claimed responsibility for a series of hacker attacks on various government websites in five states that have enacted anti-trans legislation.
The group, known as SiegedSec, has attacked websites for state and local governments in Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina South Dakota, and Texas. The group most recently leaked data from the city of Fort Worth in Texas and promises to continue such hacks to call out what they see as the transphobic actions of government officials.
The Guardian has confirmed the data's authencity.
The group encouraged readers to “be gay do crime” on its website while also heralding past hacks. So far the group has claimed responsibility for attacks online against the Nebraska Supreme Court, South Dakota Board of Commission, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, Pennsylvania Provider Self Services, and South Carolina Justice Information Services.
“We have proudly defaced the South Dakota Boards and Commissions website! We left little special messages across their site,” the band of gay furries announced on its website. “Unfortunately, they have now fixed the defacement. Since it seems South Dakota didn’t appreciate our gift, we will offer gifts to someone else. We’ve hacked and leaked documents from the Nebraska Supreme Court Intranet and South Carolina Criminal Justice Information Services.”
Fort Worth released a statement about their hack, saying there had been no demand for ransom or use of ransomware identified with the attack, and that no confidential data had been leaked.
“We can share with a high level of confidence that the method of access has been addressed, and there is no lingering unauthorized access to City of Fort Worth computer systems,” the statement read. “Additionally, there remains no indication that sensitive data was released There has been no encryption of data or loss of access to data or computing systems.”
Furries are a culture of individuals who periodically identify as anthropomorphic animals with the characteristics of a human being, and who dress up in furry animal costumes for fun, fellowship, camaraderie, and sex.
